Rihanna’s fitness plan
NICKI says: In a recent interview the singer revealed she loves to have fun when keeping fit and enjoys mixing up her exercise routine. Her personal trainer Harley Pasternak helps her work out five days a week.
Rihanna starts with 30 minutes of cycling, skipping with a rope, jogging and jumping jacks to get her heart pumping. She can do these things in her hotel room by adapting them to on-the-spot jogging, for example, and cycling on a stationary bike.
This is good news because it means there is no excuse, we can all do these things in our homes, too. She also does strength training which is a true body transformer. It firms anything that jiggles, gives you sexy definition and builds lean muscle which helps boost your metabolism and burn calories.
Push it … tone your arms and tummy with Rihanna-style press-ups
My workout below shows you some of the best moves to give you that super-toned and confident Rihanna look.
To see results, do this workout at least three times a week, combined with 30 minutes of the types of cardio mentioned above.
Short on time? Choose the moves that target your problem areas and give them a blitz.
How to get Rihanna’s…
Arms
Also tones your chest and tummy
Reps: 10. Sets: 3
START in a press-up position with your body strong and tummy tight. Do one full press-up with your legs close together, then move your legs wider apart for the next rep.
Continue changing your position by moving your arms and legs wider and narrower for each rep to challenge your body in different ways.
Legs
Also tones your bum, back and arms
Reps: 15. Sets: 2
STAND with feet shoulder-width apart, holding a football. Squat down to your right side and touch the ball on the ground, keeping both heels on the ground, then take the ball diagonally across your body to your left side, reaching the ball up to the ceiling as you push up from the squat.
Take the ball back down to your right side and repeat until you’ve done 15 reps, then swap sides and repeat.
Tip: Make sure your knees are in line with your ankles and your weight is evenly distributed through your feet. Push up from your bum.
Abs
Also tones your lower back and inner thighs
Time: 60 seconds. Sets: 2
LIE on your back and lift your shoulders off the floor and your legs to a 45° angle, pointing your toes.
Quickly open and close your legs, crossing your right thigh over your left, then reversing the movement.
Do as many reps as you can in 60 seconds.
Tip: Make sure your back is strong on the floor and your lower abs are tensed, with shoulders and head relaxed.
Waist
Also tones your hips, arms and tummy
Reps: 15 each side. Sets: 2
LIE on your left side with your legs straight and prop yourself up on your left forearm so your body forms a straight line.
Brace your abs and reach your right hand toward the ceiling. Slowly tuck your right arm under your body and twist forward until your body is almost parallel to the floor. Return to the start position.
BUM Also tones your legs, arms and back Reps: 15. Sets: 3 Holding a football straight up above your head, lie on your back with knees bent.
Contract your buttock muscles and lift your hips to form a bridge.
Hold for a few seconds then, as you lower back to the floor, take the ball back behind your head. Repeat.